Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

 

For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage is also their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will transform into that of a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist's heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams.

At first, Wren internally resists her husband's fate. Is there a way for them to be together after Lewis fully transforms? Then, a glimpse of Lewis's developing carnivorous nature activates long-repressed memories for Wren, whose story vacillates between her childhood living on a houseboat in Oklahoma, her time with a college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds. Woven throughout this daring novel is the story of Wren's mother, Angela, who becomes pregnant with Wren at fifteen in an abusive relationship amidst her parents' crumbling marriage. In the present, all of Wren's grief eventually collides, and she meets her fears with surrender, choosing to love fully, now.

An emotional exploration of motherhood, marriage, transformation, and letting go, Shark Heart is an unforgettable love story about mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, animals and people--all while examining what it truly means to be human.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62919375-shark-heart

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My Review: 3/5 Stars

First, the story behind me picking up this book. Pretty cover. Flips to the back, the most absurd back cover copy. Immediately shares with my new book group. Everyone is in to read it LOL. This is just as strange and unexpected as you can imagine. The pacing is quick and told through different types of styles, we find the story centered around Wren and Lewis. Newlyweds who discover shortly after that Lewis has a rare diagnosis. He is turning into a great white shark. The world is quite familiar with people turning into different animals, so the while shocking to the reader, it is only shocking to our characters when they unfortunately find out bout this mutation. Follow them as they try to figure out what to do and what comes next for their lives together and for when they will be forced apart. An interesting story all around for sure.  

Scoring Chances Book 6: Game Misconduct by Brigham Vaughn

 

Scoring Chances Book 6

The last thing Tanner Clayton needs is to fall in love with his rival ...  He loves playing defense for the Boston Harriers, hooking up with anyone he’d like, and hanging out with the boys.  Settle down? No way!  Especially not with Leif Rasmussen—the son of his assistant coach—who he loves to torment during games.  But the more time Tanner and Leif spend together at skills camps and tournaments, the harder the sparks fly on and off the ice.  As the top line center of the New York Rockets, Leif is desperate to live up to his superstar father’s legacy and hold the team together while his captain is out with a long-term injury.  Tanner is nothing but a distraction … and everything Leif refuses to admit he wants.  When the Harriers and the Rockets go head-to-head in the playoffs, there’s more than just the Cup on the line … There’s a chance at love.  TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: Realistic depictions of hockey player injuries, mild homophobia from secondary characters, and a side character threatening self-harm.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250719357-game-misconduct

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s Tanner and Leif’s turn! I’ve been looking forward to these two. They definitely give those enemies-to-lovers vibes. Tanner and Leif have known one another for ten years. And in those years, they’ve become rivals on the ice. Off the ice? Well, Tanner is determined to be friends and lately, more than that. The first time they hooked up was unforgettable and Tanner wants a repeat. And getting Leif to admit he wants is too is half the fun. Tanner drives Leif crazy and yet he always finds himself being pulled back to him. Neither want a real relationship. No chance, no way. But when they find themselves entering a more solid agreement about their hook ups, then talking more often than not… well, slowly things might be changing between them. Admitting it or even noticing it? Takes them a bit, but all bets are off the table when they realize just exactly how much they mean to one another. But how can they be anything on opposite teams? I adored these two! Tanner is wild and chaotic and overall sweet. He can get Leif to relax and have fun and destress. And for Leif, he never thinks Tanner is ever truly too much. He may feign annoyance, but he doesn’t ask Leif to be anyone but himself. I really loved watching these fall for one another. Oblivious and all in without in realizing it so. Their dynamic was a lot of fun with their banter. But I loved how much depth they both have and the things they deal with it. Just another great story in this series! And I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next in this hockey world!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hockey Bros Book 1: Ethan by Beth Bolden

 

Hockey Bros Book 1

There’s nothing Ethan Barnes has wanted more than to play hockey with his brothers. Avery, Charlie and Ethan have been dreaming about uniting the Barnes brothers on one team since they were barely old enough to hold a hockey stick.

Starting his rookie season on the New York Bandits, Ethan’s finally going to get the chance to play with his brother Charlie. But while Charlie’s great—a fantastic roommate, a better teammate, and a damn good forward—it turns out the guy Ethan’s really interested in doesn’t have a last name of Barnes.

Hank Tucker’s been working his ass off for two years to make the Bandits opening roster as one of their starting defensemen. What he needs is determination, hard work and focus.

What he doesn’t need is a rookie forward with a famous last name, who, since the first time they met at development camp last year, has permanently moved into his thoughts with his rumpled curls and magnetic smiles and killer body. No matter how grumpy Hank is or how determined he is to shake him, Ethan’s sunshine ends up buried deep under Hank’s skin.

Hank’s always been sure he was straight. But Ethan tempts him and entices him and ultimately, makes himself so irresistible Hank’s got no shot at holding back.

Especially when it turns out that Ethan’s not just been working hard to make a spot on the Bandits’ roster but in Hank’s bed, too.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239774258-ethan

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

What a great start to this new series! Following three hockey brothers, Avery, Charlie, and Ethan, this first book of the series kicks off with the youngest Barnes brother: Ethan. Ethan may be the baby of their hockey family, but he is a great hockey player like his older siblings. And what better way to start his career off than by playing with Charlie’s team? The hope is one day all of them will play together, so starting off with one brother is pretty great. Scary but great. But even more scary? Meeting Hank Tucker. Because the moment Ethan meets Hank, he knows he is in trouble. Their connection is instant and natural and both come to realize that it’s the first time they have feelings for a guy. And they are more than okay with it. When they first meet, they find themselves keeping in touch even when they are on opposite ends of the coast. Ethan has another year at Portland U before they are ready to pull him up and Hank is spending another year at AHL. But it’s a year of getting to know one another and deciding can they be something? And even when they reunite, will they still be on the same team? Both hope so! Hank just needs to prove once and for all he deserves a spot on the roster. Absolutely loved this book! Such a great start to the series. I loved getting to know Ethan and Hank and watching them fall hard for one another. I loved their dynamic and how natural they fit together. They were just a great pair. And we got to see a lot of Avery and Charlie as well. I can’t wait for both their books. Especially Charlie after seeing him in this book and his best friend. It’s definitely gonna be a good one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder Hearts Book 1: Hunt Me by EM Lindsey & Cora Rose

 

Murder Hearts Book 1

Doing Deaf drag isn’t supposed to come with threats to my life, damn it. I’ve had a stalker before, and apparently—even after involving my friend from the FBI—he’s decided to come back and make my life hell.

But this time, however, a slightly terrifying stranger shows up to play hero.

He knocked my stalker on his ass and left me with blood smears on my jaw and a kiss on my lips so devastating, it threatened to rearrange my whole life. And then he disappeared into the shadows.

But just when I think I’ll never see him again, I find him haunting my steps everywhere I turn.

It’s not long before I realize hunting me might be his love language, and god help me, I think I’m into it. Especially when each time he catches me, he leaves me breathless and wanting more.

My stalker is still around, but being with Archie is worth whatever the unwelcome blast from my past wants to throw at me.

After all, having a boyfriend with a thing for knives, coffins, and funeral flowers is a great way to protect myself, and if his obsession and love for me isn’t enough to take my stalker down, my determination to get my happily ever after will.

Hunt Me is the first book in the morally grey rom-com series Murder Hearts. It’s a spicy, MM stalker-to-lover romance with forced proximity, coffins as a special interest, an Autistic MC, a Deaf Drag Queen who doesn’t have time for anyone’s BS, stalking as a love language, a set of lovable murder brothers, an unhinged cat café, and a steamy, swoony, happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252495943-hunt-me

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Denver isn’t a stranger to having a stalker. But that doesn’t mean he is happy that it is happening all over again. The feeling of someone following him is getting worse. And when he finally attacks…well lucky for Denver there is someone there to stop him. And while his new stalker escapes, Denver is stuck on the man who saved him. The man with gentle hands who then disappeared. Though not for long. Denver finds his hero and it may be the best thing that has ever happened to him. While Archie may appear scary, Denver only ever feels safe with him. Archie is protective and just as obsessed with Denver as Denver is with him. And Archie won’t rest until Denver’s stalker is caught. I loved these two! We got a peek at them before in another series and I’m so happy to see we are getting more books in this world. Archie and his two brothers are a mystery and a bit scary to those who don’t know them. They’ve got their secrets and pasts, but Denver knows that these men will protect him and anyone they care about by any means necessary. I really enjoyed getting to know Denver and Archie and watch them fall hard for one another. They were both super interesting characters who I absolutely adored! And we’ve met some new characters and I’m so excited for future books in this series. This was a great one to start it off!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inheritance Games Book 7: The Gilded Blade by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 

Inheritance Games Book 7

ALL GAMES MUST COME TO AN END.In the stunning finale to the global phenomenon of the Inheritance Games Saga (over 6 million copies sold!), discover danger, riches, romance--and the staggering answers to long-brewing mysteries.

All games must come to an end. In this series-shattering conclusion, everyone is a player, long-held secrets are unveiled, precious threads are unraveled, and impossible mysteries are solved. In the grandest of games, there is so much to win--money, love, power, revenge--but there is also everything to lose.

The truth will be revealed in #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes' most masterful puzzle yet.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239399508-the-gilded-blade

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

An amazing end to this series! It’s been a long journey but we have finally reached the end. And while part of me is sad to say goodbye to all these characters, I’m also happy to finally have answers! So the story picks up where the last book left off and if you aren’t caught up, well, beware the spoilers. Just no avoiding it at this point when it comes to what happened previously. Everyone is on the hunt for Avery who has gone missing. And though everyone is on their own mission for answers, everything comes back to the same place. While they may have different paths for answers, they’ll all have to come together to fit everything they learned together. It’s another book filled with puzzles and riddles and mysteries years old. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions too! And a satisfying ending after everything that has happened. Just a great series all around. Truly a favorite of mine and one that sucks you in each book as you try to figure out what happens. Plenty of twists and turns in this story as well! Though you wouldn’t expect anything else from this series. Again, a great end! You don’t want to miss this!

The Martian by Andy Weir

 

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. 

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. 

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. 

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Very late to the party reading this and even late to watching the movie. But after watching Project Hail Mary then reading the book, naturally I had to watch The Martian which led to of course reading the book. Great movies and great books! I really loved reading this story. Mark is part of Ares 3, a team sent to Mars. But under some pretty unfortunate circumstances, he is left behind when the crew thinks he is dead after getting swept away by a dust storm and having to evacuate without much time to look for him. But surprise! He survives. And now he has to figure out not only how to survive living on Mars but how he can get back home, if that is even possible. He knows a mission is coming up in a few years. He just has to make it that long and to their site. Mark was absolutely hysterical. I loved his sense of humor throughout the story. He has to come up with a million different things to survive and keep going, but at least he never loses that part of himself. The story is mostly told through his logs, but we also get some points of views from those on Earth once they figure out he is alive and even the Ares 3 crew. It will take the whole world working on the problem to bring him back along with some major luck and creative thinking. A fun story all around! 

Redemption Road Book 2: Hollywood by DJ Jamison

 

Redemption Road Book 2

Everyone calls me Hollywood because I look like a leading man, but I didn't expect the starring role of single father....

When my ex-girlfriend, Carrie, is injured in an accident, I take sole custody of my two-year-old daughter overnight. I've wanted to be Ruby's father for a long time, but my ex--and her family--haven't forgiven me for going to prison.

This is my chance to get to know Ruby and prove that I've changed. I leap at the chance, even though I've got no idea what I'm doing.

Thankfully, my former best friend Tex shows up and sticks by me. He's a natural with kids and instantly calms the panic setting in. One night of support turns into another and another. Bit by bit, Tex is moving into my life and making himself a second father to Ruby.

But he's bailed on me before. Three months ago, he ran from the feelings growing between us. He couldn't handle the idea of being bisexual.

Now he's here, plucking all of my heartstrings and making me love him all over again. Ruby is head over heels, too. He's everything I want in a partner. For me. For my daughter.

But will Tex return the love this time--or will he break both our hearts?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253755589-hollywood

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s Hollywood and Tex’s turn! And I’ve been looking forward to their story after we saw the tension between the two of them in the last book. When Tex left Hollywood three months ago, he was hurting in all kinds of ways. He lost his closest friend and someone he thought he could even be more than friends with. But Tex pushed him away and ran. But when Hollywood gets a call that his ex was in a bad car accident and he needs to take care of their daughter, he is shocked to find Tex is back. And he’s back for him. Being part of his daughter’s life is all Hollywood ever wanted and he is going to do everything he can to prove to his ex that he has changed and he can be there for Ruby. But he’ll need some help and he knows it. So he pushes his anger at Tex away. Because Hollywood isn’t the only one who has something to prove. Tex knows he messed up when he left. But he won’t make that mistake again. He wants to be there for Hollywood and for Ruby. He’ll show them that he isn’t going anywhere. Even when his dad makes it hard to shake the guilt of his past. I loved these two! So happy to see them get their happy ending. It was clear from the beginning just how much these two cared for one another and how they’ve been hurting since they’ve been apart. While the circumstances they are in aren’t great, it gives them another chance. A chance to reignite their friendship and take it to the level they both crave. Just another great story all around! And oh man, the hint at the next book looks really good. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.